And that is exactly why I think SOO is taking away International Rugby Leagues rightful place at the top of the food chain.

First you attack the humble City/Country, and now Origin. I don't know how you manage to enjoy anything.

I'll never understand how anyone can be against our sports most celebrated spectacle. Origin is a huge annual boost for our game, obviously much more in Australia than anywhere else, but it gives us a pedestal to stand on top of that Aussie Rules and Union simply cannot hope to match mid-season. While it remains as popular as it is, we should push it gusto. When the time comes for the International game to take over, it will do so naturally. To attempt to artificially make it happen is madness.

That's all i'm going to say about that.

GO YOU MIGHTY BLUES!

What a piece of rubbish - did you actually read/comprehend what I wrote?

The point I was trying to make was about the perception that the players need to be of some super human nature to be able to play an Origin game, that is just hyperbole. The best players always show through which is why Queensland keep winning. It is very unlikely that any of these games will have the intensity of the Dragons v Bulldogs last week because you only get that when sides are matched - this is not the case here.

I'm all for marketing - but it has to be believable?

No Hodges and no Inglis, it could be closer than i expected. NSW have a better chance with those two missing or certainly Inglis.
1. Slater
2. Boyd
3. Neilsen
4. Tonga
5. Yow Yeh
6. Lockyer
7. Thurston
8. Scott
9. Smith
10. Petero
11. Myles
12. Thaiday
13. Harrison
14. Cronk
15. Parker
16. Lillyman
17. Hannant
18. Taylor
The backline are missing Inglis and Folau from last year and Hodges would be there if fit. Tonga isn't bad but NSW wont be afraid of him and Neilsen and will no doubt target them along with Yow Yeh.
I also think Shillington is a big loss, he was great for them last year but there still strong at prop. I was surprised Dallas Johnson didn't make it, the Cowboys have improved massively since he joined and he's been a big part of that, there joint second and have beaten the likes of Melbourne, Manly and the Broncos already this year and he played every game for 4 years before leaving for Catalans for a year. Corey Parker is good every week for the Broncos but he's not a bench player IMO, he'll get through a mountain of work but wont offer much impact from the bench, they'd have been better off with Dave Taylor who offers alot more coming off the bench and was good for them in last years series. Lillyman is back in after a few years out of the side and i haven't seen too much of him lately but he couldn't always get a game for the Warriors last year.
I think NSW have a decent chance of an upset, the QLD backline doesn't strike fear like it usually does. If NSW play to their potential and Soward kicks well then they've got a pretty decent chance IMO. It would make it a better series if they did win the first game, especially with game 2 being in Sydney. I think they've made a mistake in putting Creagh on the bench instead of Luke Lewis and picking Jason King ahead of guys like Tolman but apart from that it's not a bad side and should at least run them close.

The more I think about it, the more I can see NSW pulling off a shock win......paying $3 here (NZ) to win the series might be a tad optimistic, but $2.50 on game 1 might be worth a flutter...and $2.25 on QLD 2-1 has got to be worth a fifty.

I dont think a NSW win would be a shock.

With no Inglis, Folau or Hodges the Queensland 3/4's looks very average.

I think Lockyer is on his way out - Thurston + Slater are the danger men.

Expect NSW to be fired up to the hill and expect them to win by 10 in Origin 1.

Elias in all sorts today for comparing what Blues will do to Queensland on Wed next with the floods that decimated the Maroon state. Leading all 6pm news bulletins. Big night ahead.

Watched it last night after work, thought Jenkins from NSW was electric (just on the wrong team) really quick feet and hands.

Gallen needs the captaincy taken from him. Poor example set by your team leader. Running all over the show diving into tackles when not required, killing the NSW defensive structure.

Nostradamus could have seen the inside ball to Slater coming - sadly Gallen couldn't!!

What about Beau Scott. He could have seen it coming but decided to smash Lockyer once the ball had gone, i'd say he was as much at fault as anyone.

He's not captain material, mostly because of his poor discipline. But really, who else is there???

In that team you would have to go with Gasnier.

he's probably the closest one, I agree.

But the fact he defected to yawnion is a big factor I think, and I personally agree with not appointing him on this basis.

I cant see Gasnier playing based on that performance.

I think Jamal has to play along with Hayne at full back.